Quiet(er) 3PDT stomp switches?

[italianguy63]

I know this may have been covered.  And, I know 3PDT's are noisey by nature, and physics.

But, does anybody have a line/link on a quiet(er) 3PDT stomp switch?  One that won't click/squeak during a partial downpress in a Wah?  (inexpensive too).

I need some for my parts bin.

MC

[deadastronaut]

hi mark, heres a comparison from paul (chromesphere) @1:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgWaUFlMZfk

[smallbearelec]

One way to get truly click-less bypass switching in the wah is to cobble a tactile switch like one of these:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/4pdt-latching-pcb-mount/

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/4pdt-momentary-pcb-mount/\

into the base of the pedal and actuate it with a piece of metal or plastic attached to the treadle. I have done it with the momentary version mounted in the rear, thus creating "heel-down" bypass.

Another possibility (one that I have not tried) would be using a relay module like Monomonster or Molten Voltage activated by a momentary stomper.

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/momentary-spst-no-soft-touch/

[italianguy63]

Thanks Steve-- really just looking for a better quality 3PDT.  I know they are not all the same... I have used up my "good ones.."  And, I don't remember where I bought them (they were black).  I have 100's of the cheaper ones (blue), and they are good for most things.  But in a Wah-- they tend to squeak or click when you work the pedal (even when you are not making the switch actually switch).  I have had better ones that don't do it.  Just trying to source some again...

And, I know it isn't JUST the color of the plastic!   

MC

[smallbearelec]

The blue 3PDT that I stock is by CIC. I started advertising the maker as a way of distinguishing these from the no-name clones. Black ones? At least some are Taiwan Alpha:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/alpha-sf17020f-0302-3pdt/

Expensive, but the quality is top-notch. You might also see if you like the long-bushing version that I had them make:

http://smallbear-electronics.mybigcommerce.com/alpha-sf17020f-0302-24r-l-3pdt-long-bushing/

I don't know of anyone else who carries that version (yet).

SD

[italianguy63]

Hey Steve--

I may give them a go.  I'll see whatever else turns up.  But, basically what I am looking for.  I need more 9mm pots for my next project anyhow.  So, another order to the CAVE soon anyway.

MC

[italianguy63]

OK...

I'm buying what you're sellin'.... ewww... ahhhh....



Edit-- pain pills are grand.

MC

[midwayfair]

Smallbear's Alpha ones are definitely quieter than the blue ones. I'm pretty much using those from now on.

BLMS sells one called a "low profile" 3PDT or something similar. It's black with no epoxy. It's even softer, more like the Alpha DPDT, but it can be annoying to solder to since the holes in the lugs are very small ... be sure to get it right the first time!

When at all possible now, though, I use optical (1776 Optotron) or Millennium bypass for true bypass.

[davent]

Haven't used any of those particular 3pdt switches but on other switches with tiny holed solder lugs i've been wrapping/crimp-it-tight then solder, use 22awg wire so no hope of getting it through those holes.

I'm in need of swiches as well, how are those BLMS low profiles?

dave

[italianguy63]

I tend to "meat hand"  <--- great term.. remember it.  "stone hands" is another..

Anyway, I meat hand 3PDTs with the sodering iron.  So, I just started using Small Bears inexpensive 3PDT wiring PCB out of general priciple.  It is cool because it holds all the lugs in alignment while you solder.  Makes it hard to blow them up that way, plus the finished look is better IMHO.  I use them on almost all my production pedals and my Wah upgrades.

I will report back on the SB/Alpha black 3PDT's when I have them in hand and can asertain their "quietness" factor.

MC

[flopoeko]

Isn´t there the need of a added resistor to reduce the popping/squeeling when using mechanical switches in guitar effects?

[italianguy63]

Isn´t there the need of a added resistor to reduce the popping/squeeling when using mechanical switches in guitar effects?

In this case I am only referring to the "physical" noise of the switches action....   Switch "pop" is another topic!

MC

[tubegeek]

I hereby dub the sound under discussion "switch clack."
You may thank me later.

[joegagan]

for wah with LED i have switched to the small BLMS type, but straight from china in quantity. for wah, the advantages are several.

1.shorter actual throw to actuate. allows longer wah pot travel since the rubber bumpers can now be quite low, with switch set low ( which it needs to be anyway, see below).

2.as has been discussed in other threads   'common' 3pdts' blue etc have some sort of gritchy-ness in the tunnel when actuated at a slight angle as it happens in the arc of the wah treadle hitting it. you can adjust/mod your felt on the treadle to match the angle, but it is a hassle and not 100% effective.

another side effect with this is that the 3pdt can get stuck in mid throw. this mid-throw 'catch' is often the death of a 3pdt, something happens internally and they don't work well after this. as most pro players and other wah users prefer, the wah switch should be adjusted to switch ' hard'  - like you can barely do ti with your hands. this is the danger zone for a 3pdt, it seems to invite this mid-throw half switch condition. the mini 3pdts don't seem prone to this, again i think the shorter action is helping.

3.the small ones definitely have a much lower clack mechanical noise when switching.

4. they have proven very reliable so far, approx 60 + in use with no failures in a year.

i switched to the wire wrap lug for same reasons mentioned above.

WARNING!!! do not try to install them in any pedal without the lower nut in place. you will rip the whole switch apart if you don't. the strength of the bushing for mount is in the nut in these. this does require thicker felt or other adjustments when used in wahs as they won't go up as high with this nut in place. but a small price to pay for all the other advantages in wah.

for my non-LED wahs, i am using dunlop branded alpha 316 clones. much better than carling in my experience ( 350+ alpha dunlops in use, zero failures). they are pricey, twice the price of a 3pdt, but worth it.

[joegagan]

advantage # 5 of the minis -- the do not squeak while wah-ing because the throw is so short you would never get into this action.

[italianguy63]

Thanks Joe-- will have to try some of these too.  Is it this one:   

http://www.bitcheslovemyswitches.com/#!/Low-Profile-3PDT-Footswitch-Latched-Solder-Lugs/p/33283018/category=5027572

MC

[greaser_au]

for wah with LED i have switched to the small BLMS type, but straight from china in quantity. for wah, the advantages are several.
<snip>

A most useful analysis of the problems (and solutions),  Sir.

david

[Calambres]

WARNING!!! do not try to install them in any pedal without the lower nut in place. you will rip the whole switch apart if you don't.

Too late a warning for me  I just broke one exactly for this reason.

[davent]

Crushed/collapsed a Dunlop wah shell trying to get a blue set so it would function properly.

Thanks Joe for the analysis, great insight!
dave

[joegagan]

here is the photo from bitches  , although i don't think they have red epoxy any more, in fact some i have been getting elsewhere don't seem to have any epoxy(?). they all seem basically similar other than the epoxy / no epoxy thing.